Air-operated projectile-firing apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is herein disclosed a firearm-ammunition-loading apparatus comprising a pivotally movable ammunition-holding member having an ammunition chamber alignable with a loading port in a pivotally movable loading member in a loading position. The loading port is blocked by an abutment surface on the ammunitionholding member until the loading position is reached. The ammunition magazine is connected to the loading member by a flexible tube movable therewith.

United States Patent Inventors Ronald W. Joyce Springdale; EugeneBilllngslea, Rogers; Leopold C. Sage, 1" ayetteville; Robert K.Marshall, Rogers, all 01, Ark.

App]. No. 815,256

Filed Apr. 3, 1969 Patented July 6, 1971 Assignee Victor ComptometerCorporation Chicago, 111.

Division 01 Ser. No. 739,575, Mar. 29, 1968. Division ofser. No.598,087, Nov. 30, 1966. Pat. No. 3,399,596.

AIR-OPERATED PROJECTILE-FIRING APPARATUS 4 Claims, 13 Drawing Fig.

US. Cl 42/395, 89/33 B Int. Cl F4lc 13/00 FieldolSearch 42/l,6,27,

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 984,519 2/1911 Browning89/33.] UX 1,308,665 7/1919 Doug1as..... 42/49 386,535 7/1888 Graham.89/33 (MC) UX 1,1 10,702 9/1914 McClure 42/6 3,421,408 1/1969 Badalieta1. 89/33 (.1) FOREIGN PATENTS 2,318 10/1900 Austria 89/33 MC PrimaryExaminer Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-Stephen C BentleyArrorneyHarness, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT: There is herein disclosed afirearm-ammunitionloading apparatus comprising a pivotally movableammunition-holding member having an ammunition chamber alignable with aloading port in a pivotally movable loading member in a loadingposition. The loading port is blocked by an abutment surface on theammunition-holding member until the loading position is reached. Theammunition magazine is connected to the loading member by a flexibletube movable therewith.

PATENTEDJUL SIB?! 3.590.512

sum 1 m 5 PATENTEUJUL 6l97l 3.590.512

SHEET 2 OF 5 AIR-PERATED PROJECTILE-FIRING APPARATUS This application isa division of our copending application Ser. No. 739,575 filed Mar. 29,1968, which application is a division of our prior application Ser. No.598,087 filed Nov. 30, 1966, now US. Pat. No. 3,399,596.

This invention relates to air-operated projectile-firing apparatus, and,more particularly, a gun having new and improved operating apparatus.

The invention principles have been illustratively incorporated in ashoulder-type gun having a cocking lever action by which the gun isconditioned for firing and by which rounds of ammunition stored in amagazine in the gun are moved to a firing position.

The new and improved operating apparatus of the present invention isparticularly related to guns of the type utilizing an air ignitionsystem. A gun of this type is described in detail in copendingapplication Ser. No. 473,556 for Air Operated Projectile FiringApparatus filed July 7, I965, and incorporated herein by reference.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide new andimproved operating apparatus for a gun whereby dur ing a cocking cycle:

an ammunition-holding device is movable from a firing position to aloading position and back to the firing position; an ammunition-ejectionmechanism is cooperable with the ammunition-holding device in theloading position to eject any unfired round carried by theammunitionholding device; and

an ammunition-loading mechanism is thereafter cooperable with theammunition-holding device in the loading position to load a round ofammunition into the ammunitionholding device prior to movement back tothe firing positron.

Among the secondary objects are to provide new and improved operatingapparatus for the gun comprising:

trigger means mounted on a cocking lever for movement therewith during acocking cycle;

sear means and latch means operable by the trigger means to fire the gunin a new and improved manner; compression cylinder means movable axiallyby a cocking lever connected thereto in a new and improved manner;

an am munition-holding device of new and improved design movable axiallyand pivotally from a firing position to a transfer position to a loadingposition and back to the firin g position;

am munition-holding device operating means of new and improved design;

an am munition-loading device of new and improved design pivotally andaxially movable with and relative to the ammunition-holding device andcooperable therewith in a new and improved manner;

ammunition-loading device operating means of new and improved design;ammunition magazine means of new and improved design connected to theammunition-loading device in a new and improved manner enabling theammunition-loading device to be moved axially and pivotally;

ammunition-ejection means of new and improved design cooperable with theammunition-holding device and the ammunition-loading device in a new andimproved manner; and

ammunition-ejection means operating mechanism of new and improveddesign.

The inventive principles have been illustratively embodied in a gun asshown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevational view of the gun partly in sectionwith parts removed and some parts shown schematically;

FIG, 2 is another partial side elevational view of the gun with partsbroken away and partly in section and parts shown schematically;

FIG. 3 is an elongated opposite side elevational view of the gun withparts removed and shown schematically;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the gun taken along the line 4-4 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gun taken along the line 5-5 inFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional plan view taken along the line 7-7in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view showing a round of ammunition infiring position in the gun;

FIG. 10 is a schematic isometric view of a portion of the operatingapparatus of the gun in firing position;

FIG. 11 is a schematic isometric view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10in a transfer position;

FIG. 12 is a schematic isometric view of the apparatus shown in FIGS. l0and II in an ejection position; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic isometric view of the apparatus shown in FIGS.10-12 in a loading position.

IN GENERAL The present invention is particularly directed to a gun inwhich a round of caseless ammunition 20, FIG. 9, comprising a projectileportion 21 of lead or the like and a propellant portion 22 is adapted tobe fired from the gun by hot air ignition of the propellant. Theprojectile portion is provided with a rounded nose portion 25 of onediameter and a body portion 26 of slightly enlarged diameter so as toprovide a shoulder 27 therebetween. The propellant portion 22 may becylindrical in shape and molded on or otherwise attached to the bodyportion 26 of the projectile to form a rearward extension thereof.

An ammunition-holding device 28 is provided with an ammunition-receivingchamber 29 having cylindrical portions 32, 34, and 36 ofgraduallyincreasing diameter. Chamber por tions 32 and 34 have diameterscorresponding to the diameters of the rounded nose portion 25 and thebody portion 26, respectively, of the projectile to form a shoulder .38adapted to abuttingly receive the projectile shoulder 27 and hold theround of ammunition in the chamber until after ignition of thepropellant 22. When the high-energy gases generated by the burningpropellant create a propulsion force higher than a predeterminedshot-start force, determined by the abutting relationship between theprojectile and the chamber, the projectile is driven from the gun.

The chamber portion 36 is sufficiently enlarged to permit an annularobturating rim portion 39 of an obturating plug 40 to be received insurrounding relationship with the propellant portion 22 which, in thefiring position, is located within an annular chamber 42 in theobturator plug. An air passage 44 connects the chamber 42 to a valvechamber 46 in which a ball valve 48 is retained in controllingrelationship to an air passage 50 communicating with a source ofhigh-temperature air. Passage $0 is terminated by a conical valve seat52 on which the ball valve 48 is adapted to be seated to close passage50 when the propellant portion 22 is ignited and the pressure in passage44 and chamber 46 of the high-energy gases generated by the burningpropellant exceeds the air pressure in passage 50. It may be thusobserved that in the firing position, a firing chamber is defined byfiring chamber means comprising the ammunition 20, the ammunitionchamber 29, and the obturator plug 40 so that hot air delivered throughpassage 50 past ball valve 48 and through passage 44 is confined andretained in the firing chamber to cause ignition of the propellant.Thereafter, the high-energy gases generated by the burning propellantare confined within the firing chamber by closing of the ball valve 48so that, when the shot-start force is exceeded, the projectile is forcedpast the shoulder 38 and the forces generated by the high-energy gasesare exerted primarily in driving the projectile from the gun.

Referring now to FIGS. [-3, in general, the gun further comprises astock portion 60, a receiver means 62, a receiver casing 64, a barrelmeans 66, a movable air compression cylinder 68, a guide tube 70 for theair compression cylinder, a piston means 72, a piston means guide tube74, a piston means operating compression spring 76, a scar means 78, alatch means 80, a trigger means 82, a cocking lever 84, a loading device86, a spring magazine extension tube 88, a loading housing and magazinetube 90, a magazine follower 92, a magazine-follower spring tubeassembly 94, an ejection device 96, an operating rod 98, a control rod100, an ejection rod 102, a trip rod I04, a guide rod 106, and a helperspring 108, the details and operation of which are hereinafler describedin further detail.

RECEIVER MEANS The receiver means 62 comprises a main bottom platereceiver portion 110 to which a front receiver housing portion 112 issecurely fastened thereto by fastening means 114 extending through afastener opening 116, FIG. 4, in the front receiver housing portion andthreadably secured in a threaded opening 117, FIGS. 6, in a fastenerblock receiver portion 118. The front receiver housing portion includesa threaded barrel opening 120, FIG. 1, terminating in a reduced-diameterboss portion [22 providing a guide tube seat I24. Arcuate upper housingsurface I25, FIG. 4, provides a casing seat. A control rod guide openingI26, FIG. 2, extends through a front receiver housing wall portion 128and opens into a spring well 130. The guide opening is offset to oneside of a central axis 132, FIG. 4, of the gun. An operating rod guideopening 134, FIG. 2, extends through the front receiver housing portionparallel to and below the control rod opening. A trip rod open ing isformed by an upwardly and inwardly radially extending slot 136, FIG. 4,opening into the operating rod opening. An ejector rod guide opening138, FIG. 4, extends through the front receiver housing portion and aforwardly extending support bushing 140, FIG. 1. The ejector rod guideopening is offset on the opposite side ofa central axis 132 ofthe gun.

The main receiver portion further comprises an upwardly extending rearreceiver housing portion 142, FIG. I, and an upwardly extendingintermediate receiver housing portion 144, FIG. 2. The rear receiverhousing portion 142 is provided with a centrally located piston rodopening 146 and counterbore 148. The upper surface 150 of the rearreceiver housing portion has a cylindrical curvature to provide a seatfor the guide tube 70. A magazine follower opening (not shown) isprovided in the rear receiver housing portion and is offset to one sideof a central axis of the gun.

A link chamber I52, FIG. 1, is formed between the rear receiver housingportion I42 and a stock attachment housing 154. A magazine followeropening (not shown) extends through the stock attachment housing ingeneral alignment with a central axis of the gun and, is thus, laterallyoffset from the magazine-follower opening in the rear receiver housingportion. A trigger slot 156 is formed in the bottom plate andcommunicates with chamber 152.

A cocking lever slot 158 is formed in the bottom plate between a pair ofdownwardly depending ears 160, FIG. 3, provided with aligned pivot pinapertures 162. Link slots 163, 164 are provided at the front and rear ofthe cocking lever slot.

The intermediate receiver housing portion 144 is offset to one side ofacentral axis of the gun and is provided with a control rod opening 165,FIG. 2, and an operating rod opening I66.

A transversely extending slot 168 is formed in the bottom plate portionto provide clearance for swinging movement of a portion of theammunition-holding device.

An ejection device well I70, FIG. 8, is provided in the bottom plateportion opposite the intermediate receiver housing portion between apair of pivot pin supporting flanges I72, 174, FIG. 7.

A number of fastening screw holes 176, I78, 180, FIG. 3, are provided invarious portions of the receiver to enable the receiver casing to besecured thereto.

RECEIVER CASING The receiver casing 64 is in the form of an elongatedgenerally channel-shaped member which is provided with an ejection port182, FIG. 8, and a loading port (not shown) in one sidewall. The frontportion of the casing is provided with an inner arcuate inner wall 184,FIG. 4, having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the topsurface of the front receiver housing portion and terminating inshoulder portions 186, 188 adapted to be seated on the correspondingshoulder portions of the front receiver housing portion. The other innertop portions of the casing have a diameter corresponding to the frontportion and to the outer surface of the guide tube 70 which has adiameter corresponding to the front housing seat 184. A number offastener openings are provided in the sidewalls of the casing to enablethe casing to be securely fastened to the receiver by suitable fasteningmeans 190, 192. The rear of the casing abuts the front of the stock at193.

GUIDE TUBE The air compression cylinder guide tube is longitudinallydivided into a series of circumferentially extending segments of varyinglength. A front segment I94, FIG. 3, extends approximately 195' about,and is adapted to be seated on, the rearwardly extending hub 122 on thefront receiver housing portion. The front segment adjoins a segment 196which extends circumferentially approximately 240. Proper clearance isprovided for the ammunition-holding device 28. An intermediate section198, FIG. 2, extends continuously 360 to provide rigidity for the guidetube. The next adjacent section 200, FIG. 1, extends circumferentiallyapproximately 310 from an edge 202 located at the bottom of the guidetube to an edge 204, FIG. 8. A cocking lever attachment housing guideslot 206 extends rearwardly from the connecting section 198 throughsection 200 and an elongated intermediate section 208 of the guide tubewhich extends circumferentially 280. The rear segment 210, FIG. 1,extends circumferentially about and is seated on the rear receiverhousing portion surface I50. An abutment shoulder 212, FIG. 3, engagesthe front so rface of the rear receiver housing portion and a shoulder214 engages the rear surface of the front receiver housing portion toaxially locate the guide tube.

THE AIR COMPRESSION CYLINDER The air compression cylinder 68 is slidablymovable axially within the guide tube 70 between a forwardly extendedfiring position and a rearwardly retracted cocking-loading position. Theair compression cylinder 68 is provided with an integral front wall 220,FIG. 1, and a forwardly projecting hub portion 222 in which theobturator plug 40 is fixedly mounted. A resilient abutment disc 223having an air passage 224 is secured on the rear of wall 220. Airpassage 50, FIG. 9, is centrally formed in the front wall andcommunicates with compression chamber 225 through passage 224. The rearend 226 of the air compression cylinder is open so as to permit the aircompression cylinder to be axially moved relative to the piston means72.

An operating rod attachment housing 228, FIG. 8, is offset to one sideof the central longitudinal axis of the gun and the air compressioncylinder and depends downwardly therefrom through the slot 206. Anoperating rod attaching hole 230, FIG. 2, is provided at the bottom ofthe housing to receive a reduced-diameter connecting end 232 of theoperating rod. Longitudinally extending slot means 234 are provided inthe sidewall of the housing to receive an attaching pin 236 connected tothe operating rod. The pin-and-slot connection provides lost-motionmeans whereby the final movements of the clocking lever from the firingposition to the cocking position and from the cocking position to thefiring position do not cause corresponding movement of the operatingrod. A cocking lever attaching flange 238 extends rearwardly from theoperating rod attaching housing and is provided with a transverse pivotpin aperture.

The outside diameter of the air compression cylinder corresponds to theinside diameter of the guide tube so as to be slidably supportedtherewithin. The longitudinally extending slot 206 in the guide tubeaccommodates the operating rod attaching housing and the cockingattaching flange during movement of the air compression cylinder betweenthe firing position and the loading position.

PISTON MEANS The piston means 72 is slidably movable relative to the aircompression cylinder in the firing position from a cocked retractedposition to an extended fired position and is slidably movable with theair compression cylinder from the firing position to the retractedcocked position. The piston means 72 comprises a piston head 240supported in the air compression cylinder 68 for slidable movementtherebetween. A piston rod 242 extends rearwardly and is slidablymounted in the guide tube 74. The rear end of the piston rod is providedwith a scar groove 244 having a forwardly facing inclined abutmentsurface 246 at the rear of the groove and a scar engaging abutmentsurface 248 at the end of the piston rod.

SEAR MEANS The sear means 78 is pivotally movable between a holdingposition retaining the piston means in the retracted cocked positionuntil the trigger is pulled and a released position. A hub portion 250,FIG. I, pivotally supports the sear on a pivot pin 252 mounted betweenspaced flanges 256 of a scar bracket 258 which is fixedly securedbetween the rear receiver housing portion 142 and the stock attachmentreceiver housing portion 154. A forwardly projecting arm portion 260 ofthe sear terminates in a downwardly extending riblike projection 262adapted to be received in the sear groove on the piston rod in thecocked position. The riblike projection is provided with a flat taperedrear abutment surface 264 adapted to abuttingly engage thecorrespondingly tapered rear surface 246 ofthe sear groove. An upwardlyfacing latch abutment surface 266 is provided at one end of the riblikeprojection and is adapted to abuttingly receive the sear latch 80 in thecocked position. A sear spring, illustrated schematically at 268, isprovided to bias the sear toward a released position with the riblikeprojection located upwardly in spaced relationship above the piston rod.In order to return the sear from the released position to the holdingposition, a downwardly projecting cam portion 270 is provided with a camsurface 272 engageable by the rear surface 248 of the piston rod duringmovement of the piston rod to the cocked position so as to force thesear from the released position to the holding position against the biasof the sear spring.

THE SEAR LATCH The sear latch 80 is pivotally movable between a latchingposition latching the sear in restraining engagement with the pistonmeans and a released position. The sear latch is pivotally movable abouta pin 274, FIG. I, supported by the sear bracket 258. A sear-engagingprojection 276 is provided at one end of the sear latch and includes anabutment surface 278 adapted to overlie the top of the sear projectionin the cocked position. A rounded cam surface 280 is provided at the endofthe sear latch to enable the scar latch to be cammed about the pivot274 by engagement with the sear during portions of the cocking cycle. Alatch spring 282 is suitably connected at one end to the latch and atthe other end to the receiver. Spring 282 is mounted in tension betweenthe latch and the receiver so as to exert a biasing force on the latchtending to cause movement of the latch toward the cocked latchingposition. The bottom end of the latch is provided with a laterallyoffset portion 284 having a cam surface 286 en gageable by the triggerto move the latch from the cocked latching position to the releasedposition against the bias of the spring 282. An abutment surface 288 isprovided on the bottom of the offset portion 284 and is adapted to actas a safety preventing return movement of the trigger into the triggercavity 156 at the end of a cocking cycle with the trigger in a releasedposition.

THE TRIGGER Trigger 82 is pivotally mounted on the cocking lever bypivot pin 290, FIG. 1, and is pivotally movable between a cocked pomionand a released firing position. A trigger spring 291 is mounted aboutthe pin 290 and cooperatively engages the trigger to bias the triggertoward the cocked position. A carn projection 292 extends upwardlythrough the trigger cavity 156 into the receiver for camming engagementwith the latch surface 286. In the cocked firing position, the camprojection 292 is located in abutting engagement with the cam surface286 on the latch. As the trigger is pulled rearwardly against the biasof the trigger spring, the cam projection is moved forwardly anddownwardly to cause movement of the latch from the cocked firingposition to the released position. A safety flange 294 is provided atthe rear of the trigger and is adapted to be cooperable with anadjustable button-type safety pin 295 to prevent rearward movement ofthe trigger when the safety is in an on position. An abutment surface296 is provided at the top of the cam projection 292 for abuttingengagement with the abutment surface 288 on the latch should the triggerbe in the pulled released position at the end of the cocking cycle whenthe trigger is being returned to the trigger cavity.

THE COCKING LEVER The cocking lever 84 is pivotally movable in a cockingcycle from a stowed retracted firing position to an extended cockingposition and back to the firing position. The cocking lever 84 comprisesslotted handle portion 298, FIG. 1, a slotted trigger guard portion 300,and a lever portion 303 formed by an integral inwardly offset extensionof the cocking lever. Lever portion 303 is pivotally mounted on a pivotpin 304 extending between spaced receiver ear portions 160. A bifurcatedconnecting link 305 is connected at one end to lever portion 303 by apivot pin 306 and at the other end by an offset link portion 307, FIG.2, and pivot pin 308 to the air compression cylinder attaching flange238. Thus, as the cocking lever is moved from the firing position to thecocking position, the air compression cylinder is moved rearwardly tothe loadingcocking position and, as the cocking lever is returned fromthe cocking position to the firing position, the air compressioncylinder is moved forwardly to the firing position.

A trigger slot 309 opens upwardly through the top surface of the cockinglever between spaced trigger pivot pin support flanges 310. A safetyopening 312 is provided at the rear of the trigger shot. It will thus beobserved that the trigger is pivotally supported by and movable with thecocking lever during the cocking cycle.

THE AMMUNITION-HOLDING DEVICE The ammunition-holding device 28 is in theform of a pivotally mounted arm having a generally cylindrical tubularammunition chamber housing 314 integrally formed at one end and agenerally cylindrical tubular support housing 316 integrally formed atthe other end. An arm portion 318 integrally connects the spaced tubularhousings. A rod opening 320, FIG. 2, in the support housing 316 fixedlymounts the control rod for rotation with the control rod. A combina tioncompression and torsion spring 322 is mounted about the control shaft100 in spring well and is compressible between the front receiverhousing portion 112 and the ammunition-holding device so as to provide abiasing force tending to cause movement of the ammunition-holding devicefrom a firing position in abutting engagement with the barrel means anda transfer position axially rearwardly displaced therefrom. The spring322 is also adapted to act as a torsion spring exerting a force on theammunition-holding device tending to cause movement thereof from aloading position to the transfer position. The spring 322 is arranged tobe wound upon movement of the ammunition-holding device from thetransfer position to the loading position and to be compressed uponreturn movement of the ammunition-holding device from the transferposition to the firing position.

The ammunition-holding device further comprises a downwardly extendingmagazine blocking means in the form of a curved flange 324. FIG. 5.providing a rearwardly facing flat surface 326, FIG. 7, adapted toabuttingly engage the loading device 86 except when the ammunitionchamber 21. FIG. 9, is aligned with the ammunition magazine in a loadingposition of both the ammunition-holding device and theammunition-loading device. As may be observed by reference to FIG. 6.the blocking flange 324 extends along a radius of curvature having itscenter on the longitudinal axis of the control rod 100 which correspondsto the path of movement of the ammunition-loading device 86 aboutcontrol rod 100 so that, as the ammunition-holding device 28 is pivotedwith the control rod 100. the abutment surface 326 is maintained inalignment with the ammunition-loading device.

THE LOADING DEVICE The loading device 86 is axially movable on controlrod I between a firing position and a transfer-loading position andpivotally movable on control rod 100 between the transferloadingposition and an ejection position. Loading device 86 is in the form of apivotal arm having a cylindrical tubular loading housing 330. FIG. 6.integrally formed at one end and a cylindrical pivot housing 332 formedat the other end. An arm portion 334 integrally connects the spacedtubular housings. The tubular loading housing comprises a loading port336. FIG. 7. and an elongated counterbore 338 which provides anelongated seat for the spring extension 88 of the magazine. The springextension has an inside diameter approximately equal to the diameter ofthe loading port 336 so that the loading port forms s continuation ofthe ammunition passage provided by the spring magazine extension and anoutside diameter larger than the diameter of the counterbore so as tofixedly mount the spring extension in the counterbore. The tubular pivothousing 332 is provided with an opening 340 having a diameter aproxlmstely equal to the diameter of the control rod receive therein soas to be freely pivotally and slidably supported thereon. A spacer 342.P10. 7, is provided between the housing 320 and the housing 332. Acombination compression and torsion spring 344 is mounted on control rod100 between the ammunition-loading device and the intermediate receiverhousing portion 144. The spring is compressible during axial rearwardmovement of the ammunition-holding device from the firing position tothe transfer position and exarts at forwardly directed biasing force onthe ammunitionloading device 86 so as to maintain the ammunition-loadingdevice in constant abutting engagement with the ammunitionholdingdevice.

A releasable connecting means 346 for connecting and disconnecting theloading device to and from the ammunitionholding device is provided inthe arm portion 334 intermediate the tubular portions 330. 332. Therelesssble connecting means comprise a pin 348, FIG. 7. slidably mountedin an opening 330 in the arm. A compression spring 332 is mountedbetween the pin and the bottom of the opening to bias the pin outwardlybeyond the front surface 354 of the loading device. The rear portion 356of the pin is reduced in diameter and extends rearwardly beyond the rearsurface of the arm portion. A transverse pin 35! extends through therear pin portion and secures the pin in s forwardly extending connectionposition as shown. The pin 346 is rsarwsrdly movable against the bias ofthe compression spring to a release position wherest the front face ofthe pin is located in alignment with the side surface 334 of the loadingdevice. In the .extended position. the pin 346 is located in the path ofmovement of the ammunition-holding device and is engsgeable therebyduring movement from the transfer position to the loading and ejectionposition to move the loading device from the loading position to theejection position.

THE EJECTION DEVICE The ejection device 96 is in the form of a plate360, FIG. 3. pivotally mounted on pin 362 for transverse pivotalmovement between a discharge position and an ejection position. Aforwardly opening curved ammunition seat 364, terminating in an abutmentshoulder 366. is provided to receive a round of ammunition ejected fromthe ammunition-holding device in the ejection position. A curved camfollower surface 368, FIG. 8. is formed along the back of the ejectionplate and includes a portion 370 formed by a rearwardly extending flange372. In the discharge position, shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, the ejectionplate is located in the ejection opening 182 in the casing and is heldin that position by engagement between the cam follower surface 370 onthe flange 372 and the corresponding adjacent cylindrical surface of thetubular loading device housing 330. A torsion spring 374 mounted on thepivot pin 362 biases the ejection plate inwardly toward the ejectionposition so that, as the ammunition-loading device 86 is pivoteddownwardly toward the ejection position by the ammunition-holding device28. the cam follower surface 368 is maintained in engagement with thetubular housing 330 and the ejection plate is pivoted downwardly to theejection position. Spring 374 is of considerably less strength thanspring 344. At the end of the ejection movement of ejection rod 102. anyround of ammunition in chamber 29 is pushed rearwardly onto the seat 364against shoulder 366. When pin 346 is released by rod 104. torsionspring 344 rapidly upwardly moves the ammunitionloading device 86 fromthe ejection position to the loading position which causes plate 360 tobe rapidly returned to the discharge position and the ejected ammunitionto be flipped out of the gun through casing opening 182.

THE OPERATING ROD The operating rod 98 is attached at one end to the aircompression cylinder housing by the pin-and-slot connection 234-236 andextends forwardly therefrom in parallel alignment with the aircompression cylinder 68 and the barrel 66 on one side of the centrallongitudinal axis of the gun. The other end of the operating rod isfixedly attached to a movable rod connecting block 378 which is attachedto the rear end of the guide rod 106. The operating rod is slidablysupported intermediate its ends by the front receiver housing portion112 in opening 134 and by the intermediate receiver housing portion 144in opening 166 so as to be slidably movable forwardly and rearwardlyduring intermediate portions of the forward and rearward movement of theair compression cylinder.

THE GUIDE ROD The guide rod 106 is slidably supported in a fixedlymounted guide rod housing 380,FIG. 3. attached to the barrel.Compression spring helper means 108 is compressibly mounted between therod-connecting block 378 and the guide rod housing 380 to exert arearward force on the operating rod 98 through the connecting block 378to assist the cockinglever-induced rearward movement of the aircompression cylinder. The guide rod is mounted in generally parallelalignment with the central longitudinal axis of the gun. the aircompression cylinder. and the barrel.

THE CONTROL ROD The control rod comprises a front portion 382. FIG. 3.of square cross-sectional configuration and a rear portion 384, FIG. 2.of cylindrical cross-sectional configuration. The diameter of ecylindrical portion 384 is equal to the width of the square ction 382and a stop 386 is formed at the joint therebetween. The square portionincludes a twisted section 388. FIG. 3. located between straightsections 390. 392.

A controI-rod-operating cam 394 is provided by a square opening in a camflange extending to one side of rod-connecting block 378. The squareportion 382 of the control rod is slidably received in the squareopening and the side surfaces of the square portion provide cam followermeans by which rotational movement is imparted to the control rodthrough the central twisted section 388. Straight section 392 permitsaxial displacement of the cam along the cam-follower surfaces withoutimparting rotational movement to the control rod during initial andterminal portions of a cocking cycle. The straight section 390 permitsmovement of the cam relative to the cam-follower surfaces withoutimparting rotational movement to the control rod during intermediateportions of the cocking cycle.

The cylindrical portion of the control rod is slidably and rotatablysupported in the opening 126 in front receiver housing portion "2 and inthe opening I65 in intermediate receiver housing portion 144. Thecontrol rod is axially movable rearwardly with the ammunition-holdingdevice 28 under the influence of the ammunition-holding device spring322 during rearward movement of the air compression cylinder until stop386 is brought into abutting engagement with a thrust washer 396, FIG.2. The control rod is slidably movable forwardly against the bias of theammunition-holding device spring by engagement of the air compressioncylinder with the ammunition-holding device during return movement ofthe air compression cylinder from the cocking-loading position to thefiring position.

TI'IE EJECTION ROD The ejection rod 102 is fixedly mounted in therod-connecting block 378 and extends rearwardly therefrom through, andis slidably supported in, hub portion 140 and opening 138 of the frontreceiver housing portion. The ejection rod is mounted in generalparallel alignment with the operating rod and the control rod and theguide rod and is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the gun ona side opposite the operating rod and the control rod. The ejection rodis movable rearwardly during the first half of the cocking cycle and ispositioned within the ammunition-receiving chamber 29 after theammunition-holding device 28 has been moved to the loading position.

THE RELEASE ROD The release rod 104 is fixedly mounted on therod-connecting block 378 or directly on the operating rod 98 for slidingmovement therewith through opening 136 in the front receiver housingportion 112. The trip rod is aligned with the release means pin 346 inthe ejection position of the ammunilion-loading device and is operableto engage the pin and move the pin rearwardly to disengage theammunition-loading device from the ammunition-holding device.

THE LOADING HOUSING The loading housing 90 is fixedly mounted on thereceiver bottom plate 110 by suitable fastening means 400, FIG. 3, onone side of the gun adjacent a loading port (not shown) in the receivercasing. A magazine tube 402 extends forwardly from the loading housing90 and terminates in a spring attachment housing 404 within which asubstantial portion of the rear of the spring magazine extension 88 isslidably mounted to permit axial displacement of the loading device andthe spring extension. A loading slot 406 faces the loading port in theside of the receiver casing and is adapted to receive rounds ofammunition to be stored in axial alignment in the magazine tube 402 andthe spring magazine extension 88. The loading slot 406 is normallyclosed by a rearwardly slidable cover plate (not shown) slidablysupported on spaced flanges 408, 410 and adapted to be seated onshoulder 412 in a closed position.

SPRING MAGAZINE EXTENSION The magazine tube 404 is connected to theloading port 336 in the ammunitiomloading device 86 by the springmagazine extension 88 which is formed of coil spring wire, or the like,permitting lateral flexing. At least one end of the spring extension isslidably mounted in an elongated counterbore in the loading housing orin the ammunition-loading device. Thus, during axial movement of theloading device the spring magazine extension is slidably displacedDuring pivotal movement of the loading device between the loadingposition and the ejection position, the spring magazine extension isflexed into and out of alignment with the magazine tube 402.

MAGAZINE FOLLOWER The magazine follower 92 is in the form of a flexiblewire cable having a follower head (not shown) attached to the forwardend thereof to abuttingly engage the last round of ammunition in thetubular magazine to urge the ammunition toward the loading port 336 inthe loading device The follower head is adapted to cooperate with theloading slot cover so as to enable the loading slot cover to be locatedin a closed position, as by an associated spring, when the follower headis in abutting engagement with the last round of ammunition and so as tomove the cover plate rearwardly to expose the loading slot 406 wheneverthe follower head is pulled rearwardly beyond the loading slot. Aflexible cable is used to support the follower head to permit theflexing action of the spring magazine extension 88 during movement ofthe loading device 86 between the loading position and the ejectionposition. In addition, the magazine-follower spring tube assembly 94 iscentrally located in the stock 60 and thus laterally offset from themagazine tube so that the magazine follower must be sufficientlyflexible to extend therebetween.

THE MAGAZlNE-FOLLOWER SPRING TUBE ASSEMBLY The magazine-follower springtube assembly 94 is centrally located in the stock portion 60 of thegun. The assembly may be of conventional design and is not described indetail herein. Spring means in the tube assembly are provided to biasthe magazine-follower head into forward-urging engagement with the lastround of ammunition in the magazine An operating means for retractingthe magazine follower for insertion of ammunition through loading slot406 is provided at the rear of the stock.

THE BARREL MEANS The barrel means 66 is provided with a bore 408extending through a threaded mounting portion 409 at the rear end whichterminates in a rearwardly extending boss 410 adapted to be received inan obturating chamber 412 in the ammunition-holding device 28.

OPERATION The high-temperature ignition air is obtained by compressionof air in cylinder 68 by movement of piston assembly 72 from arearwardly retracted cocked position, FIG. I, at the rear end of thecylinder to a forwardly extended position (not shown) at the front endof the cylinder in closely spaced relationship to abutment ring 223mounted at the front end of the cylinder. High-temperature air isdelivered through passages 224, 50, 46, and 44 to chamber 42. Forwardlyprotruding obturation plug 40, mounted in the front wall of thecylinder, floatingly confines ball valve 48 in the valve cavity 46adjacent conical valve seat 52 which surrounds passage 50 and openstoward the firing chamber. When the hot air contacts the propellantportion 22 in the chamber 42, ignition of the propellant occurs and thehigh-energy gases generated thereby flow rearwardly through passage 44against valve 48 located on seat 52 to close the passage 50 and form arigid reaction wall.

projection 276 to be pivoted rearwardly from a position of restrainingengagement with abutment 266 on sear 78 to a released position ofdisengagement relative to the abutment 266. A tension spring 282 biaseslatch lever 80 toward the latching position as shown in FIG. 1. Sear 78is rotated upwardly about pivot 252 by spring 268 so that the abutment262 is moved out of restraining engagement with piston rod 242 in seargroove 244. When sear 78 is released by actuation of trigger 82,compression spring 76 drives the piston assembly 72 forwardly withincylinder 68 to compress the air in the cylinder as previously described.

In order to cock the gun after a firing cycle and prepare the gun foranother firing cycle, the cocking lever 84 is provided with a handle 298and is pivotally movable downwardly and forwardly about pivot 304. Asthe cocking lever handle is pivoted downwardly about pivot 304, line 305is carried rearwardly on pivot 306 and, in the fully cocked position, isaccommodated by recess 164 in the receiver wall 142. The rearwardmovement of link 305 causes the cylinder 68 to be moved rearwardlytherewith. Slot 206 along the bottom of the tubular member 70 permitsrelative sliding movement of the depending link flange 238 and housing228.

As the cylinder is moved rearwardly, the piston assembly 72 is alsocarried rearwardly due to abutting engagement between disc 223 and thepiston head 240. Compression spring 76 is compressed.

The rearward movement continues until the piston rod groove 244 againreceives the sear abutment 262. The rearward movement of the pistonassembly causes the rear end 248 of the piston rod to come into abuttingengagement with cam surface 272 on the sear which rotates the searprojection 262 downwardly about pivot 252 against the bias of the searspring 268. In this manner, the projection 262 is moved into abuttingand retaining engagement with the piston rod in the sear groove. At thesame time, cam surface 276 on the latch lever 80 is engaged by theprojection surface 264 and is cammed rearwardly to move the bottomportion forwardly about the pivot 274 against the bias of spring 282. Asthe latch projection 276 rides over the top of the sear projection 262,the spring 282 moves the latch lever 80 into retaining position with thelatch projection overlying the sear projection.

During a cocking cycle, the trigger is carried downwardly with thecocking lever. Spring 282 is arranged so as to also cause the bottomportion 288 of the latch lever to be located in a blocking position intrigger cavity 156, only if and when the trigger has been pulled and notallowed to return forward to its normal position. Conventional safety295 is mounted in the cocking lever in association with a safetyprojection on the trigger so that the trigger cannot be pulledrearwardly until the safety is placed in a firing position permittingsuch movement.

During the return movement of the cocking lever to the retracted firingposition, and of the air compression cylinder to the extended firingposition, the helper spring 108 is compressed between housing 380 andblock 378. Thus, during cocking movement, the spring 108 assists therearward movement of the air compression cylinder piston assembly, andassociated control mechanisms.

During the cocking action, ejection means are provided to eject anyunftred round in the ammunition-receiving chamber 29 and loading meansare provided to load another round in the ammunition-receiving chamber.The ejection and loading operations are accomplished by moving theammunition-hold ing device 28 from the firing position, FIG. 10, to,first, an axially rearwardly displaced transfer position, FIG. 11, and,then, to a pivotally downw rdly displaced ejection and loading sition,FIGS. 12 and 3. The axial rearward movement isobtained by means ofcompression spring 322, mounted on control rod 100 between housing 112and the ammunition-holding device 28, which causes axial rearwardsliding movement of the ammunition-holding device and the control rodwhen the air compression cylinder 68 is moved rearwardly. An abutmentformed by thrust washer 396 limits the axial rearward movement. Therearward movement is sufficient to move the ammunition-holding devicerearwardly beyond obturation projection 410, FIG. 9, at the rear of thebarrel which is received within corresponding obturating chamber 412 inthe ammunition-holding device in the firing position as shown in FIG.10.

Ammunition-holding device 28 is pivoted downwardly from the axiallydisplaced transfer position of FIG. 11 toward the ejection and loadingposition of FIGS. 12 and 13 as the cam means 394, FIG. 3, engages thecam-follower means and rotates rod 100. It may be noted that the lengthand position of the cam-follower surfaces 390, 394 is such as to permitaxial sliding movement of cam 394 relative to the control rod withoutimparting rotation to the control rod both at the beginning and the endof relative axial movement therebetween.

The ammunition-holding device reaches the ejection and loading position,shown in FIG. 12, before the end of the first half of the cockingmovement. An ejection cycle takes place during and before thetermination of the first half of the cocking movement. Ejection rod 102is fixedly mounted on block 378 and movable therewith. The length of theejection rod and its position relative to the other mechanism are suchthat the rear end of the ejection rod enters the ammunitionreceivingchamber 29 soon after the ammunition-holding device reaches the ejectionand loading position of FIG. 12. The end of the ejector rod then comesinto abutting engagement with the projectile portion of any round ofammunition still in the firing chamber and pushes the round ofammunition rearwardly through the ammunition receiving chamber and intoassociation with ejector assembly 96 as shown in FIG. 12. At the end ofthe first half of the cocking cycle, FIG. 12, the rear end of theejector rod is substantially flush with the rear surface of theammunition-holding device.

During the downward pivotal movement of the ammunition-holding devicefrom the firing position to the ejection and loading position. theloading device 86 is simultaneously downwardly pivoted about control rodto move tubular housing 330 and the spring magazine tube 88 downwardlyand inwardly to allow the ejection plate 360 to be moved to the ejectionposition. The spring magazine tube is made of coiled spring wire so asto be flexible and permit movement of the plate 360 between the ejectionposition, FIG. 12, and the discharge position, FIG. 13. Loading device86 is pivoted downwardly from the loading position to the ejectionposition by engagement with ammunition-holding device 28 during movementfrom the firing position to the ejection and loading position. Theforward end of the releasable connecting pin 346 is normally biasedforwardly by compression spring 352 beyond the side surface 354. As theammunition-holding device 28 is pivoted downwardly toward the ejectionand loading position, a bottom surface 414, FIG. 5, comes into abuttingengagement with the pin and forces the loading device downwardly to theposition shown in FIG. 12.

Downward and inward displacement of the loading device permits ejectorplate 360 to be pivoted inwardly to the ejection position. Torsionspring 374 exerts an inward bias on the ejection plate so that theejection plate is pivoted inwardly as the loading device is pivoteddownwardly. As the loading device is moved downwardly and inwardly, thespring 374 causes the ejector plate to follow downwardly and inwardly.The round of ammunition is ejected from the ammunitionreceiving chamberonto the curved surface 364 of the ejection plate 96 as shown in FIG.12.

The ejection cycle is completed during final movement of the first half,of the cocking cycle when trip rod 104, moved rearwardly during thecocking cycle through passage 136 in front receiver housing 112, isbrought into engagement with the front face of pin 346. The trip rodforces the pin rear wardly against the bias of the spring 352 and theloading i device is thus released from restraining engagement with heammunition-holding device. Torsion spring 344, forces ihe loading deviceupwardly about control rod 100. The upward movement rapidly pivotallydisplaces the ejection plate 360 upwardly due to engagement between thehousing 330 and the curved surface 368. The return movement is such thatany round of ammunition delivered onto the curved surface 364 of theejector plate is flipped outwardly through a discharge opening in thegun casing.

In order to prevent rounds of ammunition in the magazine from beingdischarged during the ejection cycle, downwardly curved projection 324on the ammunition-holding device provides an abutment surface 326, FIG.7, which is aligned with the discharge opening 336 in the magazinehousing 330 throughout the movement of the ammunition-holding devicebetween the firing position and ejection and loading position, andthroughout the movement of the loading device between the loadingposition and the ejection position. When the magazine housing 330 isreturned to the loading position after the ejection cycle is completed,the ejection rod 102 prevents the next round of ammunition from enteringthe ammunition receiving chamber.

The loading cycle occurs after the ejection cycle during the initialportions of the return movement of the cocking lever. As the cockinglever is returned to its retracted position, ejector rod 102 is movedforwardly and withdrawn from the ammunition-receiving chamber 29. Thenext round of ammunition in the magazine housing 330 is displaced by thespringloaded magazine follower and is pushed into the chamber.

Return movement of the cocking mechanism permits the torsion spring 322,wound during the opening movement, to pivot the ammunition-holdingdevice from the ejection and loading position of FIG. 13 to theintermediate transfer position of FIG. 11, with the ammunition-receivingchamber in axial alignment with the barrel bore 408, as the cam means isreturned to its starting position. An abutment, not shown, is providedto positively locate the ammunition-holding device in the transferposition in alignment with the barrel and the air cylinder. After theammunition-receiving chamber is brought into axial alignment with thebarrel bore, the cam means 394 is slidably displaced beyond the twistedcam-follower means section 388 without further pivotal movement. The aircompression chamber engages the ammunition-holding device which isthereafter moved axially onto the barrel projection 410, with chamber412 surrounding the projection and forming an obturating seal therewith.The loading device is correspondingly axially displaced on shaft 100 byspring 344. Thus, the return movement of the cocking action brings theair compression cylinder back into association with theammunition-receiving chamber as previously described.

We claim: I. A gun comprising: barrel means having a bore through whicha projectile is guided during firing ofthe gun,

ammunition holding means for holding a round of ammunition in a firingposition and being pivotally movable between a firing position and aloading position about a pivotal axis,

am munition-loading means for associating a round of ammunition withsaid ammunition-holding means by axial movement and being movablebetween a loading position and a retracted position,

operating means for moving said ammunition-holding means and saidammunition-holding means and for conditioning the gun for firing and forfiring a round of ammunition from the gun,

ammunition magazine means for storing a supply of ammunition, at least aportion of said ammunition magazine means being fixedly mounted relativeto said ammunition-loading means,

axially extending flexible tubular ammunition-delivery means connectingsaid ammunition magazine means to said ammunition-loadingmeans, at leasta portion of said flexible tubular ammunition-delivery means beingmovable with said ammunition-loading means and permitting movement ofsaid ammunition-loading means relative to said ammunition magazine meansbetween the loading position and the retracted position whilemaintaining said ammunition magazine means in communication with saidammunition-loading means through said flexible ammunition-deliverymeans,

support means slidably supporting one end of said flexibleammunition-delivery means to permit axial displacement thereof duringloading of ammunition, follower means mounted in said ammunitionmagazine means to move ammunition to said loading means through saidflexible ammunition-delivery means,

said follower means comprising flexible means extendable through saidflexible ammunition-delivery means and movable therewith,

said ammunition-loading means having an ammunitionreceiving passageconnected at one end to said flexible ammunition-delivery means andhaving an open ammunition-discharge port at the other end,

passage-blocking means aligned with said open ammunition-discharge portuntil said ammunition-loading means and said ammunition-holding meansare concurrently located in the respective loading positions, saidpassageblocking means comprising an abutment surface movable inconjunction with the movement of said ammunitionholding means and saidammunition-loading means to close said ammunition-discharge port untilthe respective loading positions are reached, and said passage-blockingmeans being pivotally movable along an arc having a center at saidpivotal axis, and said ammunition-discharge port being movable alongsaid are during movement of said ammunition-loading means between theloading position and the retracted position.

2. The invention as defined in claim I and wherein:

said passage-blocking means being attached to and movable with saidammunition-holding means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein:

said ammunition-holding means comprises an ammunitionholding chamber,

said ammunition-holding chamber being movable along said are andcoinciding with said ammunition-discharge port in the respective loadingpositions.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein:

said flexible ammunition-delivery means comprising a length of coiledspring wire forming a flexible tube of wire between saidammunition-loading means and said ammunition magazine means.

1. A gun comprising: barrel means having a bore through which aprojectile is guided during firing of the gun, ammunition-holding meansfor holding a round of ammunition in a firing position and beingpivotally movable between a firing position and a loading position abouta pivotal axis, ammunition-loading mEans for associating a round ofammunition with said ammunition-holding means by axial movement andbeing movable between a loading position and a retracted position,operating means for moving said ammunition-holding means and saidammunition-holding means and for conditioning the gun for firing and forfiring a round of ammunition from the gun, ammunition magazine means forstoring a supply of ammunition, at least a portion of said ammunitionmagazine means being fixedly mounted relative to said ammunition-loadingmeans, axially extending flexible tubular ammunition-delivery meansconnecting said ammunition magazine means to said ammunitionloadingmeans, at least a portion of said flexible tubular ammunition-deliverymeans being movable with said ammunitionloading means and permittingmovement of said ammunitionloading means relative to said ammunitionmagazine means between the loading position and the retracted positionwhile maintaining said ammunition magazine means in communication withsaid ammunition-loading means through said flexible ammunition-deliverymeans, support means slidably supporting one end of said flexibleammunition-delivery means to permit axial displacement thereof duringloading of ammunition, follower means mounted in said ammunitionmagazine means to move ammunition to said loading means through saidflexible ammunition-delivery means, said follower means comprisingflexible means extendable through said flexible ammunition-deliverymeans and movable therewith, said ammunition-loading means having anammunition-receiving passage connected at one end to said flexibleammunitiondelivery means and having an open ammunition-discharge port atthe other end, passage-blocking means aligned with said openammunitiondischarge port until said ammunition-loading means and saidammunition-holding means are concurrently located in the respectiveloading positions, said passage-blocking means comprising an abutmentsurface movable in conjunction with the movement of saidammunition-holding means and said ammunitionloading means to close saidammunition-discharge port until the respective loading positions arereached, and said passageblocking means being pivotally movable along anarc having a center at said pivotal axis, and said ammunition-dischargeport being movable along said arc during movement of saidammunition-loading means between the loading position and the retractedposition.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein: saidpassage-blocking means being attached to and movable with saidammunition-holding means.
 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 andwherein: said ammunition-holding means comprises an ammunition-holdingchamber, said ammunition-holding chamber being movable along said arcand coinciding with said ammunition-discharge port in the respectiveloading positions.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 and wherein:said flexible ammunition-delivery means comprising a length of coiledspring wire forming a flexible tube of wire between saidammunition-loading means and said ammunition magazine means.